THE VARIATIONS OF GLACIERS. VI. 1 



The following is a summary of the Fifth Annual Report of 

 the International Committee on Glaciers : 2 



RECORD OF GLACIERS FOR 1 899 



Szviss Alps. — As we approach the end of the century the 

 advance of a number of glaciers which began in 1875 nas grad- 

 ually died out. Only one glacier was known to be advancing 

 in 1899; nine were doubtful, and fifty-five were certainly or 

 probably retreating. 3 



Eastern Alps. — During 1899 Drs. Blumcke and Hess published 

 an important paper on the Hintereis glacier containing observa- 

 tions of the movement, melting, and interior temperature of the 

 glacier, and an excellent map. 4 During the time of observa- 

 tion, in the summer, the temperature to a depth of forty meters 

 was found to be practically the melting temperature. 



The Vernagt glacier continues to advance ; during the last 

 year its velocity at a certain point has increased from iyS m 

 per year to 280. Since it has been under observation (1889- 

 1899) i ts velocity has increased to fifteen times its original 

 value. The ice has thickened and the glacier is advancing. 5 



Of the glaciers observed in the Eastern Alps, fifteen are 



1 The earlier reports appeared in this Journal, Vol. Ill, pp. 278-288 ; Vol. V, 

 PP- 378-383; Vol. VI, pp. 473-476; Vol. VII, pp. 217-225, and Vol. VIII, pp. 

 I54-I59- 



2 Archives des Sciences Phys. et Nat., Vol. X, pp. 1-20. Geneva 1900. 



3 Report of Professor Forel. 



*Untersuchungen am Hintereisferner. Wissensch. Ergans. z. Zeit. des D. u. O. 

 Alpenvereins. 1. Bd. 2. Heft. 



5 A very complete account of this glacier was given by Professor S. Finster- 

 walder in the Wissensch. Erganzunghefte zur Zeits. des D. u. O. A-V. 1. Band, 1. 

 Heft, Graz 1897. This important paper contains a history of the remarkable variations 

 the glacier has suffered, and an excellent discussion of the nature of the movement of 

 the ice and the origin of moraines. 



2C0 



